TN asks Andhra to check unapproved drawing of Krishna water

Chennai: Tamil Nadu on Saturday asked Andhra Pradesh to check unapproved drawing of water on its side under the Krishna water sharing agreement and to ensure realisation of adequate release.

At a meeting of Chief Secretaries of the two states here, Tamil Nadu said while release of water from Kandaleru was 600 cusecs, it got reduced to 150 cusecs at the state border.

"Due to unapproved drawing of water inside Andhra Pradesh border, less quantity of water reaches Tamil Nadu. Therefore, (Andhra Pradesh) has to check this to ensure at least 350 cusecs is realised at the Tamil Nadu border," a state government release quoting the meeting said.

Among other demands placed before Andhra Pradesh were to release 8.24 tmcft of water remaining for the year 2012-13 and the total 12 tmcft of water for 2013-14.

The release said the water level at Kandaleru stood at 17.60 tmcft today as against its capacity of 58.6 tmcft. With "adequate" storage, there should be no hiccup in release of water to Tamil Nadu, it said.

As per the 1983 agreement between the two states, Andhra Pradesh has to release 12 tmfct of water to its neighbour each year between July-October (eight tmcft) and January-April(four tmcft) to be used to meet the drinking water needs of Chennai.

Further, Andhra Pradesh was asked to complete various related works at Kalahasti and Tamil Nadu has come forward to extend its help, the release said.

Andhra Pradesh officials informed their counterparts that recommendations of a joint committee on release of water as per the agreement was under consideration of that government, details of which would be made available to them.

A permanent committee on water supply would be formed, comprising chief engineers of the two states, besides the chief engineer RPT, chief engineer of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), they said.

This committee would submit periodical reports to the government on ways and means to supply water to Chennai, the release said.